2016 Ovid Red
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Tasting notes
Ovid's 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is an outstanding effort, and I may be underestimating it, given the lavish praise heaped upon it by my predecessor. That said, I can only call 'em as I see 'em, and this blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot shows a touch of jamminess that I don't think will see the wine through more than another decade or so. I may also prefer my wines a bit younger than some drinkers. Tobacco, sage and cassis notes combine to create a fine, multidimensional bouquet, while the full-bodied palate shows a rather coarse velvet texture, then softens and turns easier on the lingering finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. The 15-acre (6-ha) vineyard that makes Ovid is situated at 1,400 feet (430 m) in Pritchard Hill. Planted in 2000, this organically farmed vineyard is divided into one-acre blocks that all have different rootstock-clone combinations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Silver Oak purchased this winery in 2017 but for now plan to have a hands-off approach. A complex combination of red and black fruits on the nose, with a hint of leafy graphite too. There is exuberance and freshness in equal measure that makes this enticing. Sweet, ripe tannins provide a very supple and seductive mouthfeel. This is a little warm but there is impressive mid-palate intensity without cloying sweetness of fruit. Spicy, powerful and long. (TP)
Lastly, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a vintage described as similar to 2015, only with a normal-sized crop. This inky colored beauty has some similarities to the 2014 with its perfectly balanced, elegant, yet powerful style. Made from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, an incredible display of finesse paired to power, remarkable sweetness of fruit, and a finish that leaves you looking for another sip. Another heavenly wine from this estate, I’d put this in the list of desert island wines for yours truly.
The 2016 Ovid is another superb wine from Ovid. Black cherry, mocha, spice, leather and menthol are all beautifully delineated. Powerful and yet light on its feet, the Ovid shows many of the qualities that make wines off this Pritchard Hill estate so compelling. I can't wait to see how this ages.